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Cera alba (Beeswax)
AKA “beeswax”
Wax
Ingredient Facts
Cera alba (Beeswax)
Wax · Emollient · EWG: 4
Plant-Derived
Emollient
Occlusive
Fragrance
Emulsifier
Bee Product
Wax
Not Clean
cera alba (beeswax) is a cosmetic ingredient used as emollient, emulsifying, film forming.
CAS #
8012-89-3
Form
Wax
See origin →
Functions
Emollient
Fills in the tiny cracks between skin cells to make everything feel smooth and soft. The "silky finish" ingredient.
Emulsifying
Forces oil and water to stay mixed instead of separating into layers. The unsung hero holding your lotion together.
Film Forming
Creates a physical seal on skin to lock moisture in and keep irritants out. The "slugging" ingredient — barrier protection.
Perfuming
Added for scent. Can be natural or synthetic. Common irritant and allergen — one of the top reasons people react to products.
Locks In Moisture
Traditional Use
Used for over 2,500 years in Egyptian, Greek, Roman, and medieval cosmetics as a natural emollient, thickener, and protective agent; historically one of the primary bases for salves, creams, and lip balms.
Skin Types
●all-skin-types
Best For
Dryness
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Yes
Allergen Warning
⚠️ Bee / Insect
EWG
4
CIR
Safe
Pregnancy
Yes
CIR Safety Findings
Not a Sensitizer
all-shades-safe
Regulatory Status
USA✔ permitted
EU⚠ restricted
JAPAN⚠ restricted
CANADA⚠ restricted
Severe contact cheilitis from cera alba and other cosmetic oils, fats and waxes in lip balms.
Aerts O, Pyl J, Mangodt E, Dendooven E
Contact dermatitis, 2023
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Extended Re-review Summary: Safety Assessment of Beeswax, Copernicia Cerifera (Carnauba) Wax, Euphorbia Cerifera (Candelilla) Wax, and Rhus Succedanea Fruit Wax as Used in Cosmetics
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
→
Final Repoort on the Safety Assessment of PEG-6, -8, -20 Sorbitan Beeswax
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
→
Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Candelilla Wax, Carnauba Wax, Japan Wax, and Beeswax
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
→
Beeswax Acid
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
Behenyl Beeswax
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
Behenyl/Isostearyl Beeswax
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
Bis-PEG-12 Dimethicone Beeswax
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
Butyloctyl Beeswax
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
C14-30 Alkyl Beeswax
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
C18-38 Alkyl Beeswax
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
C30-50 Alkyl Beeswax
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
Castor isostearate beeswax succinate
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
cera alba (beeswax)
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
Dimethiconol Beeswax
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
Octyldodecyl Beeswax
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
Polyglyceryl-3 beeswax
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
Sodium Beeswax
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
Sorbeth-2 Beeswax
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
Sorbeth-20 Beeswax
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
Sorbeth-6 Beeswax
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
Sorbeth-8 Beeswax
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
Stearyl Beeswax
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
Synthetic Beeswax
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
Beeswax
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
→
Behenyl Beeswax
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
→
Bis-PEG-12 Dimethicone Beeswax
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
→
Castor isostearate beeswax succinate
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
→
PEG-20 Sorbitan Beeswax
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
→
Polyglyceryl-3 beeswax
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
→
Sodium Beeswax
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
→
Stearyl Beeswax
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
→
Synthetic Beeswax
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
→
Final report on the safety assessment of PEG-6, -8, and -20 sorbitan beeswax.
Lanigan RS, Yamarik TA, Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel
International journal of toxicology, 2001
→
Final report on the safety assessment of PEG-6, -8, and -20 sorbitan beeswax.
Lanigan RS, Yamarik TA, Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel
International journal of toxicology, 2001
→
Final report on the safety assessment of PEG-6, -8, and -20 sorbitan beeswax.
Lanigan RS, Yamarik TA, Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel
International journal of toxicology, 2001
→
Final report on the safety assessment of PEG-6, -8, and -20 sorbitan beeswax.
Lanigan RS, Yamarik TA, Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel
International journal of toxicology, 2001
→
Final report on the safety assessment of PEG-6, -8, and -20 sorbitan beeswax.
Lanigan RS, Yamarik TA, Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel
International journal of toxicology, 2001
→
Final report on the safety assessment of PEG-6, -8, and -20 sorbitan beeswax.
Lanigan RS, Yamarik TA, Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel
International journal of toxicology, 2001
→
Final report on the safety assessment of PEG-6, -8, and -20 sorbitan beeswax.
Lanigan RS, Yamarik TA, Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel
International journal of toxicology, 2001
→
Final report on the safety assessment of PEG-6, -8, and -20 sorbitan beeswax.
Lanigan RS, Yamarik TA, Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel
International journal of toxicology, 2001
→
Final report on the safety assessment of PEG-6, -8, and -20 sorbitan beeswax.
Lanigan RS, Yamarik TA, Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel
International journal of toxicology, 2001
→
Verified Jun 2026
Data: CosIng · EWG · CIR